The Internet is a wonderful tool for scammers. Whether it be a major company or someone selling bananas out of his garage, they all scam relentlessly. And since their business is on the Internet, that makes cheaters and swindlers selling their crap on a world stage. Certainly not a roadside stand of fruit and vegetables.
Daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Jeffrey were prey to a scammer, and they recited their tale of woe over our Valentine Day dinner. The ad in their paper, The Hartford Daily Disappointment, urged all dog owners to submit their animals in a contest to find the most attractive and smartest dog . They entered a photo of Cecil, a Wonder Dog who brings his leash when he wants to do his duty outside.
Cecil was rescued a day away from extinction at the animal shelter in LA by Jen's college roomate who worked there. Nikki saw his beautiful eyes and laughed when he stood up on two legs to beg. He was a runaway mixed breed.....cocker spaniel and maltese terrior.....captured along the Hollywood Freeway, all matted, shivering, wet, hungry and scared. Jen fell in love with him at first sight.
So, Cecil's photo and a video were sent into the newspaper ad's address and he was accepted. He had to sit for more photos in the company's contest studio.....at no charge.....then his owners were offered an opportunity to purchase different sized photos, ranging from $300 to $1,000. Hmmmm. Sounds like a scam to me. Well, sort of. The photographer made money off the "contest" and this was his gimmick!
I manage to defeat the scammers at every turn. For example, the telephone telemarketer offered me free dancing lessons. I claimed to have only one leg. She apologized. When I asked about pole dancing she hung up. Haha. Then I was offered a subscription to a year of TIME Magazine for only $10.00. Of course I said. "Send the first week's issue to me care of HOLIDAY INN, Columbus,OH; second week to Ramada Inn, Dallas,TX; third week to Fairmont Inn, San Francisco,CA.......because I claimed to be a traveling salesman. I'm off the sucker list!
Netflix offered me a free month's trial. I accepted and then cancelled before the end of the free month. They had my credit card and charged me $9.95 for the second month. I complained via email and snail mail. Someone who could speak English called me to confirm the cancellation and funds returned. That procedure took too much time and was one more scam I won't fall for; i.e. once you give your credit card for Shipping and Handling or validation purposes, you might as well hand over your wallet to a stranger on the street.
Although you are given some free bait to chew on, the scammer has his hands on your pocketbook and will help himself to your funds. It's all quite legal because YOU gave him your card numbers. For the future, don't even tell someone what time it is over the phone or on the computer.
So, folks, this is my lesson for the day. Everybody lies to make money. And it's your money that is at risk. Don't let loose of it. Use it for your benefit and your family too. The scammers have grown in size from a few hundred to a few million. There is no hope for the future. I'm joining the French Foreign Legion to fight ISIS.
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